Unlock My Heart

By Jennifer Wilck

Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?

Ted Endicott, CEO and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he's still uncomfortable admitting his hearing problem to clients or employees. So why is he willing to accept Abby's help?

As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client's system shows one of Ted's employees is the hacker, and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together?

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Mar 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781509239658

Jennifer Wilck

Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate. Find her at https://www.jenniferwilck.com.

Book preview

As they approached Rockefeller Center, he turned. Want to skate?

I don’t know how.

I’ll show you.

Skate with Ted? Why?

He rolled his eyes. It’s fun.

Fun. With Ted. Her internal dialogue sounded like a children’s primary reader. Okay.

Ted ushered her over to the skate rental and paid for them both. Finding an empty bench, he handed her the skates. Don’t lace them too tight, but don’t let them gap, either.

She’d never be able to balance, much less skate on them. And skating with her boss was not going to lessen her attraction. Not sure why she agreed to this, she slipped her feet in the boots and laced them, covering the laces with the Velcro straps. Her leaden feet fell to the side when she stuck her legs out in front of her.

Let’s go. Ted stood.

Let’s go? How the heck did you stand on these things? He held both hands out, lips only slightly quivering, and waited for her to place her hands in his. When she touched him, warmth spread through them, up her forearms. His grasp was firm, and he tugged her to her feet without incident. They walked to the ice.

Now what?

Ready?

His voice was low, his breath warm, and somehow intimate, though they were in such a public place. He took her hand and led her into the rink.

I’m gonna fall, I’m gonna fall, I’m gonna fall.

Unlock My Heart

by

Jennifer Wilck

Scarred Hearts, Book 2

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Unlock My Heart

COPYRIGHT © 2022 by Jennifer Wilck

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Jennifer Greeff

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2022

Trade Paperback ISBN 978-1-5092-3964-1

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3965-8

Scarred Hearts, Book 2

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

This one is for Jennifer Sellers Edmondson,

high school friend and techno geek extraordinaire.

I couldn’t have done this without your help.

Anything I got right is thanks to you;

any mistakes are 100 percent my own.

Chapter One

Lip reading was exhausting.

Ted Endicott walked out of the staff meeting and rubbed his eyes for what seemed like the thousandth time today. More than anything, he wanted to go home to his quiet house outside San Francisco, relax in front of the fire with a glass of scotch, and unwind. His computer security firm wasn’t large—two analysts and systems engineers, three new product and service developers, three sales reps, plus HR and admins—but with his laid-back style and office culture, there was significant background noise, despite the carpet and noise-absorbing ceiling tiles he’d insisted on. Even with hearing aids, it was difficult to understand what people said when there was background music, chatter, computer noises, or phones. Unlike corrective lenses, hearing aids amplified all sound, not just those he wanted—or needed—to hear. Unfortunately, it was only two in the afternoon. And CEO though he might be, he was always the last one out the door.

He shut his office door behind him and breathed a sigh of relief at the welcome quiet. His own office, designed with noise-dampening materials specifically for someone who was hard of hearing, was his sanctuary. He grabbed a laptop, sank onto his black leather couch, and proceeded to work as he slogged his way through emails. The lights flickered. He looked up and motioned his new assistant, Sherry, into his office. She waited for him to direct his full attention to her.

Sorry to bother you, Ted, but the new programmer candidate, Abby Marlow, is here for her final interview. Do you want me to put her in the conference room?

No, have her come in here.

He rose and tried not to stare as Abby walked in, which was harder than one might think when you needed to focus on someone’s lips to understand what they said. Granted, at six foot three, he was tall, but she was tiny. Maybe, if she stretched on tiptoe, she was five two? Straight ebony hair flowed past her shoulders, a black pantsuit accentuated a tiny waist, and gray eyes flicked from his face to his ears and back again. He rarely noticed people’s eyes. Wonderful.

Shaken out of the fantasy intruding into his thoughts, he clenched his jaw, spitting out the words. They’re hearing aids. They won’t go away no matter how long you stare at them.

Her flawless creamy skin turned a deep rose, and he stifled the strange urge to comfort her. He took a deep breath and smelled…strawberries.

I’m sorry, that was rude of me, she said. Probably a good thing they won’t disappear, though, since you need them.

His gaze widened at her boldness, and he considered adjusting the volume on his aids on the off chance he’d misheard her. But her eyes sparkled with a silver fire, and he had to admit she’d handled the misstep with aplomb. He directed her to the chair in front of him, where he could watch her speak. Despite using hearing aids since he was a teenager, he still read people’s lips as a backup. He sat behind his desk and leaned forward.

You’d guess right. So you’re here for the coding position? Why do you want to work at my firm?

Because your firm is the best.

Was she honest, or pandering to his ego? His gaze swept from her mouth to her eyes. He never noticed people’s eyes—lip reading was too important. But hers? They were striking—thick lashes surrounded flinty gray and silver-toned irises. With a start, he returned his focus to her mouth and their conversation. Why do you say that?

If you contact the top ten companies in any industry category and ask them who they’d look to for cybersecurity protection, they all answer Endicott Security.

And you want to work for the best?

I want to learn from the best.

She was good. And she’d stopped staring at his ears. He looked at her résumé and cover letter. Your skills are impressive. You have a lot of work experience in the field. You’re reputed to be a hard worker. His secretary checked her references prior to her interview, and her former boss raved about her skill and dedication.

Thank you. I worked my way through college, and I’ve been drawn to computers since, I don’t know, I was a kid. She waved her arm in an off-hand manner, like a cross between a sexy woman and a mischievous child. He pulled up short. He couldn’t think a potential employee was sexy.

He folded his arms across his chest. You weren’t into dolls or Lego or soccer? Throughout his childhood, he had tinkered with things, taking them apart to see how they worked. His father never understood why and assumed he was too dumb to know what to do with them.

Only if they had a computerized motor I could hack.

A kindred soul. He laughed in silence, and for the first time, Abby broke into a smile. This time, Ted couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t describe how beautiful she was when she smiled. Stunning. It was the best he could do. And it was a poor approximation.

It was also a terrible idea to think about her beauty.

Blinking, he realized he should respond. Your parents must have been proud.

It was as if a mask dropped into place, and her features froze, reminding him of a blank canvas. She remained silent. Okay then.

Returning his focus to her résumé, he noted her high GPA, her tech industry awards, and her previous experience. His company was in desperate need of another coder, and she was the perfect candidate. He asked her about her recent experience, let her go on about her former employer’s latest project, while he watched her lips move, and finally, he cleared his throat and asked, Have you any questions for me? It was what he was supposed to do, but he couldn’t focus on the words. He was too busy drowning in her silvery-gray eyes, which changed with her every thought. He was a grown man. He should be more respectful of her and her talents.

How does your office culture work?

He frowned, and she repeated her question. Dammit. With a deep breath, he refocused on her lips. They were rosy and plump. Get a grip, Ted. He swallowed and looked past her left ear in order to concentrate. It’s my company, but I can’t succeed without a great team. I guess you could call it a collegial atmosphere. Everyone is responsible for completing his or her work, but I’m laid back when it comes to how. Providing of course no one breaks any federal laws, stretches the moral code, or misses any deadlines. He smiled and hoped she’d return it.

She did.

God, she was gorgeous. I am in deep trouble.

What kinds of projects would I be given?

To start, we’d want to see what you could do. You’ll assist the team with their current projects. Overall, we’re responsible for Black Box testing of our clients’ full spectrum of applications. We use all methods necessary to investigate our clients’ landscapes, find vulnerabilities in their networks and applications, and attempt to exploit them. Then we help them take steps to protect their own environment.

How about presentations to clients? She leaned forward and gripped the armrests.

Maybe farther down the line, but it depends upon your performance and talents. He rose. He had a ton of work to accomplish and needed to continue with his day.

She followed him to the door. Thank you so much for your time, she said.

You’re welcome. He accompanied her to Sherry’s desk, returned to his office, and stared off into space. Abby was the most qualified candidate yet. She’d fit in well with his other employees. She was eager to learn. His company was desperate for another coder. If he were smart, he’d hire her before she got away. But he couldn’t look at her without drooling, a fact which made him look like a chauvinistic ass, not to mention was probably in violation of her right to work in a safe environment. As a wealthy and powerful CEO, he’d been around beautiful women. Hiring Abby should be no big deal. But it was.

****

The following Monday, Abby arrived at her new job at Endicott Security Company, psyched to be at one of the world’s premier cybersecurity companies. As long as she performed well and worked hard, she’d never end up like her mother. It took all her restraint not to bounce in the elevator. She spent her morning filling out paperwork, meeting her coworkers, and learning about the company benefits. Her pulse raced. Greg Stanton, the lead programmer, was her guide.

One last thing, he said. About Ted’s hearing issues…

The walls of her stomach tightened. Her screw up. She didn’t mean to stare. It just…happened. First, his gorgeous looks stunned her. Blond hair, piercing blue eyes, maybe a foot taller than she was. She’d looked at him and seen the thin wires wrapped around his ears. Unfortunately, before she could recover, he’d caught her.

If you’re smart, you won’t make a big deal about it. He’s got all the tech he needs to accommodate him. People who pussyfoot around him or treat him differently don’t last long here.

Good to know. Thanks.

She was about to grab some lunch when Ted walked onto the main floor. The five programmers, well, six including her, were spread around the room. Ted stopped to talk to each of them. When she caught his attention, he nodded and turned to Greg.

Can I talk to you a minute? He pulled Greg aside.

Abby swallowed the anxiety that slithered up her spine. Ted had stopped to talk to everyone but her. Was there a reason? She looked over at him as he talked to Greg. His back was to her, but his shoulders were bunched, and his hands were fisted at his sides. When they finished, he stilled, clenched his jaw, and left the room. Red-faced, Greg returned to his cubicle.

What kind of a company was this? And with a CEO as touchy as Ted Endicott, how long would she be able to keep her job?

****

How the hell will I manage this? Ted wondered and closed his office door. He wanted privacy. Even in his own office, his physical awareness of Abby was off the charts. What the hell was wrong with him, and how could he fix it? If he couldn’t be on the same floor as her without noticing her beauty, how in the world was he supposed to work with her? This was his goddamned company. He was the flippin’ CEO. He either needed to control his own reactions or figure out a way to get rid of her.

And that would be awful. Abby was fantastic. Supremely qualified and talented. He couldn’t refuse to hire her because she was beautiful. That was his problem, not hers. Unfortunately, his hormones hadn’t yet received the message, and Ted couldn’t think straight when she was around. Even considering a personal relationship, supposing she’d want one, would violate his company policy—policy he’d created. He stormed to the computer, opened his texting app, and texted Human Resources. Five minutes later, the light over his door flashed, and he yelled, Come in!

James Ross, the head of HR, entered. What’s up, Ted?

How can we rescind our offer to Abby?

Abby Marlow? The new programmer? It’s her first day. What happened?

Nothing.

James folded his body into the chair across from Ted’s desk. Uh, you can’t fire someone without cause.

I’m about to violate my own damn policy, Ted said. Maybe he could hide in his office for the next six months. That should be enough time to learn to behave like a normal human.

Which one would that be?

Ted clamped his mouth shut, and after a minute, James frowned. She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?

Ted glared, taking no comfort in the fact that James also noticed Abby.

You can’t fire her because she’s beautiful.

Ted snorted. Why the hell not?

She’ll sue your ass, win, and own you and your company.

James was an idiot. What the hell good are you?

You know I’m right. How James could sit there while Ted’s emotions raged was the reason he’d hired him in the first place.

It doesn’t mean I have to like it. Even though James was right. Dammit.

Nope, but it does mean you can’t fire her. Not without cause, and you don’t have any.

Yet, Ted said.

I’d advise you not to hint to me or anyone else you’re out to get her, since it won’t go well for you, either.

Leave. Ted pointed to the door.

James smirked before he left the office.

What the hell was wrong with him, and how could he fix it? Ted ran his hand through his hair and groaned. He needed a haircut. And he needed to avoid his new programmer at all costs.

Chapter Two

Ted sat in the upholstered velvet chair, his gaze on the lips of the beautiful woman who sipped her Prosecco across the table from him in the most expensive restaurant in town. He tried to loosen his neck muscles. At least when Carol drank, she couldn’t speak. Candlelight, though romantic, played havoc on his lip-reading abilities, and the background music added an extra layer of noise that his aids magnified. He stretched his mouth into what he hoped was a smile, although he knew full well it was fake.

Here they were in the most romantic—and expensive—restaurant in Silicon Valley. If anyone else were in this predicament, he’d laugh. His company had completed a major IT security project for Carol’s firm, and at the celebratory party six weeks ago, she draped herself over him and had yet to show signs of straightening her spine and walking away. At first, his hearing aids intrigued her, but she grew tired of the need to repeat herself or to make sure to look at him when she spoke. She was clearly only interested in him for his money. And for sex.

The sex part suited him fine at first. Now, he wanted more out of a relationship, just not with her.

A movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention, and Ted flagged the waiter.

Can I get you anything else? The waiter glanced at Ted.

Check, please?

With a nod, the waiter walked away.

Carol licked her bright red lips and eyed him seductively. Ready for a nightcap?

For once, no part of him stirred. He’d be worried if he weren’t so relieved. It was time for this relationship, such as it was, to end. He handed his Black Card to the waiter and turned to Carol. Not tonight.

She frowned. You know I meant sex, right? She’d raised her voice, as if she thought volume would change his mind, and he wanted to laugh. Especially when others turned toward them.

He signed the bill, rose, and pulled out Carol’s chair. She turned into his arms, and he stepped away.

Yes, I know what you meant, he said in a low voice. He was pretty sure his voice was low at least, and he was positive he’d understood her. Although at this point, who cared? He ushered her out the door, gave the valet his ticket, and waited for his Porsche.

What’s wrong with you tonight? You barely said three words.

Sorry. He climbed in, waited for her to fasten her seatbelt, and roared away. The silence of the car was heaven, and when she reached for the radio, he stifled a groan. He wanted nothing more than to remove his aids and bask in the fuzziness of muted sound. But he never took them out around the women he dated. He never cared about them enough to emphasize what he couldn’t do. He nodded along to her conversation and replied in monosyllables when necessary.

When he turned into her apartment complex, she jerked. I thought we were going to your place?

He stopped in front of her building and turned. I told you, Carol, not tonight. In fact, I think it might be time to let this relationship end. It was a lot of fun, but I don’t think we’re right for each other.

She wrinkled her nose, and he thought of a Shar-Pei. Despite the cost and exclusivity of the breed, she wouldn’t be amused.

We’re right for each other, Ted. You just don’t see it yet. In fact, I think maybe you need some sleep tonight—alone. You’ll be in a much better mood after you get some rest. She patted his leg and left his car.

Sleeping alone was the best idea she’d suggested yet, and he sighed as he put his car into drive. Too many women who held little interest to him. He was tired of playing the field, of the meaningless sex, and the concern about money and power. He needed something more and wanted to settle down with someone. An image of Abby flashed in his mind, and he shook his head as his car hugged the curves in the road. She might be different from the typical wealthy socialites and high-powered executives he dated, but she wasn’t for him. She couldn’t be.

****

Abby couldn’t sleep. After lying in bed for hours, she threw back the covers and glanced at the clock. The neon blue three on the clock’s face mocked her and reminded her of how tired she would be later in the morning. Rubbing her face, she threw on a pair of black jeans and a sweater, slipped her feet into her favorite pink flats, and left her apartment, her brand-new keycard in her pocket. Might as well be productive if I can’t sleep.

A half hour later, she strode into the office. As expected, the bullpen was deserted. With a sigh, she sank into her ergonomic chair, fired up her computer, and wrote scripts for her team. After a little while, the silence stifled her. She turned on her MP3 player, plugged in her earbuds, and nodded in time to the rap music as her fingers flew across the keyboard.

By five o’clock, she’d made some progress and was ready for coffee, preferably the kind she could deliver through an intravenous drip. Not finding a caffeinated drip in the break room, she filled the pot with water and waited while the coffee brewed. She groaned with delight at the nutty aroma. As soon as it was ready, she poured a cup.

She exited the break room, turned the corner, and plowed into a large, hard body. She shrieked, as much from the shock of another person as from the pain of hot liquid on her hand. Ted loomed over her. She raced to the break room and ran cold water on her hand, as she struggled for breath from the sharp sting.

Ow, ow, ow! The water swirled in the stainless sink, and she focused on the pattern